Berger Rental Communities says its people help make its residents feel at home.

By Chris Petersen

Residential properties are unlike any other type of real estate. They don’t just have to be built with quality; they have to feel like home for the people who live in them. Making a property feel like a home – especially in the multifamily sector – requires a personal touch above and beyond the typical marks of quality. Throughout the Philadelphia area, Berger Rental Communities has become well-known for providing the personal touch that makes their apartment communities feel like home, and President Dan Berger says that has everything to do with the strength and commitment of the people it has working for it.

Founded 44 years ago by Berger’s father, Steve, and uncle Jim, Berger Rental Communities has become one of the premier managers of multifamily and student housing properties in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Berger says the company’s focus is on secondary and tertiary markets within the area, and the company has 24 multifamily properties currently in its portfolio.

Renaissance Development Co. works with landowners to nestle innovative custom homes

into their land’s unique environmental character.

By Russ Gager

Instead of an adversarial relationship with landowners – trying to purchase land from a landowner at the lowest possible price – Renaissance Development Co. decided to work with the landowner to create a win-win opportunity for both parties. “We are unlike most traditional developers,” President and co-owner Douglas Swink declares.

“Traditional developers make their money on the buying, not the selling, meaning their primary role is to acquire property at the lowest value possible so they can maximize their return on investment,” he continues. “We started just like every other land developer. We wanted to buy land we thought was a good value with development potential, yet it was very awkward for us knowing how valuable a piece of property could be and then to pretend that wasn’t true in order to negotiate a low purchase price. It was contrary to our principles and beliefs.”

Construction sometimes has a reputation for high costs and, from a customer standpoint, not delivering on what was promised. But RBG Design-Build Inc. wants to do everything right the first time, building the highest-quality luxury homes in New York and New Jersey. And, according to President and CEO Charles Rose, quality doesn’t mean the most expensive home amenities and products; it means producing homes according to the customer’s requirements.

Because of that, RBG Design-Build relies on the design-build process to bring all parties – owners, architects, engineers, builders and interior designers – together in a more efficient and cooperative spirit of partnership. This can offer a plethora of benefits such as cost savings, more efficient communications and higher rates of customer satisfaction.

Tom Rossi and John Blackburn’s vision for the Tilley Lofts was to create the next generation of apartment living. The co-owners of Redburn Development Companies LLC envisioned a historically preserved building that offered sustainable features as well as convenience. They achieved both objectives when they renovated the country’s oldest ladder manufacturing facility into 62 upscale apartment units.

Since founding Onsite Design, owner and CEO Mike Hogstrom has set a standard for quality. “I’m a guy that works over 100 hours a week,” he says. “I try my best to lead by example.”

Part of that example includes being accessible to clients and project partners. If they call, “There’s always someone to pick up the phone and get back to them within 24 hours,” Hogstrom says. “[That policy has] strengthened a lot of relationships.”